The present invention relates to a method for the extraction of mercury from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon feed, and to the use of a hydrophilic deep eutectic solvent for the extraction of a mercury source from a hydrocarbon feed.

The present invention provides a process for the removal of contaminants from contaminated crude oil in a vessel. An organic solvent stream is provided to the vessel containing crude oil. After mixing, an organic solvent bottom phase is allowed to form. The bottom phase comprises at least a portion of the organic solvent stream and at least a portion of the contaminants. The bottom phase is removed from the vessel, while the remaining crude oil is retained in the vessel. An aqueous stream is provided to the vessel and mixed with the remaining crude oil, allowing an aqueous bottom phase to form. The aqueous bottom phase is removed from the vessel, while the remaining crude oil is retained in the vessel.

The present invention provides a process for the removal of contaminants from contaminated crude oil in a vessel. An organic solvent stream is provided to the vessel containing crude oil. After mixing, an organic solvent bottom phase is allowed to form. The bottom phase comprises at least a portion of the organic solvent stream and at least a portion of the contaminants. The bottom phase is removed from the vessel, while the remaining crude oil is retained in the vessel. An aqueous stream is provided to the vessel and mixed with the remaining crude oil, allowing an aqueous bottom phase to form. The aqueous bottom phase is removed from the vessel, while the remaining crude oil is retained in the vessel.

Ionic liquids of the general formula C.sup.+A.sup.− where C.sup.+ represents an organic cation, specifically, but not limited to the imidazolium, pyridinium, isoquinolinium, ammonium types, which have aliphatic and aromatic substituents, while A.sup.− represents a carboxylate, aromatic and aliphatic anion. The ionic liquids are synthesized under conventional heating or microwave irradiation This invention is also related to the application of ionic liquids to remove sulfur compounds of naphthas through a liquid-liquid extraction and the recovery and reuse of ionic liquids by the application of heat, reduced pressure and washing with solvents.

Ionic liquids of the general formula C.sup.+A.sup.− where C.sup.+ represents an organic cation, specifically, but not limited to the imidazolium, pyridinium, isoquinolinium, ammonium types, which have aliphatic and aromatic substituents, while A.sup.− represents a carboxylate, aromatic and aliphatic anion. The ionic liquids are synthesized under conventional heating or microwave irradiation This invention is also related to the application of ionic liquids to remove sulfur compounds of naphthas through a liquid-liquid extraction and the recovery and reuse of ionic liquids by the application of heat, reduced pressure and washing with solvents.

The present invention relates to a process for removing sulfur (S)-containing compounds in crude oil material. The process comprises causing the crude oil material to react with a removing agent, which comprises a phosphoric acid ester, and an aqueous phase in the presence of microwaves. The process of the invention is applied at ambient pressure and relatively low temperature compared to the conventional desulfurization processes. The process of the invention can be readily scaled up and integrated into an industrial facility

Techniques for separating a fuel on-board a vehicle include mixing an input fuel stream and a fluid solvent; separating the mixture into a first liquid fuel stream and a second liquid fuel stream, the first liquid fuel stream including a first portion of the input fuel stream defined by a first auto-ignition characteristic value and the fluid solvent, the second liquid fuel stream including a second portion of the input fuel stream defined by a second auto-ignition characteristic value that is different than the first auto-ignition characteristic value; separating the first liquid fuel stream into the fluid solvent and the first portion of the input fuel stream; directing the first portion of the input fuel stream to a first fuel tank on the vehicle; and directing the second portion of the input fuel stream to a second fuel tank on the vehicle.

The invention relates to a process for the recovery of aliphatic hydrocarbons from a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock stream, which comprises aliphatic hydrocarbons and additionally comprises aromatic hydrocarbons and/or polar components, said process comprising the steps of: feeding the liquid hydrocarbon feedstock stream to a first column; feeding a first solvent stream which comprises an organic solvent to the first column at a position which is higher than the position at which the liquid hydrocarbon feedstock stream is fed; contacting at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon feedstock stream with at least a portion of the first solvent stream; and recovering at least a portion of the aliphatic hydrocarbons by liquid-liquid extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons and/or polar components with organic solvent, resulting in a stream comprising recovered aliphatic hydrocarbons and optionally organic solvent and a bottom stream from the first column comprising organic solvent and aromatic hydrocarbons and/or polar components.

A method and composition for isolating a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer from a sludge comprising paraffinic hydrocarbons, water, and solids. The method includes contacting the sludge with isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate, a cutter stock, and water. The isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate comprises a concentration of at least 1500 ppm. The ratio of sludge:cutter:water is at least 4:2:1. The method also includes determining if the sludge has separated into a three phase separation comprising a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer, a water layer, and a layer of settled solids.

A method and composition for isolating a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer from a sludge comprising paraffinic hydrocarbons, water, and solids. The method includes contacting the sludge with isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate, a cutter stock, and water. The isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate comprises a concentration of at least 1500 ppm. The ratio of sludge:cutter:water is at least 4:2:1. The method also includes determining if the sludge has separated into a three phase separation comprising a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer, a water layer, and a layer of settled solids.